I am eighteen years old,
In the spring of my youth;
You have set me on fire
For the first time.

For you, my beautiful damsel.

Description

credit www.rachelnet.net

Here is another song from the repertoire of Flory Jagoda, in an arrangement made by the vocal trio, Colors of the Flame, among whose members are Flory’s daughter, Lori Jagoda Lowell, and Susan Gaeta. Flory has said that this group “Americanized” her songs, but singing these songs in harmony of at least two parts is a vital part of the tradition that Flory continues and passes on to her many acolytes.

Sources: This song can be found in Isaac Levy’s Chants Judeo-Espagnols (London: World Sephardi Federation, 1959), with a very different melody, and in Algazi’s Chants Sephardis (see #3 above), with a similar melody and several more verses. Sadly, both books are out of print, but can be found in the Library of Congress.

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praise for trio sefardi:

“Your per­for­mance to a large and enthu­si­as­tic audi­ence was mov­ing, lyri­cal, and mem­o­rable. ...Your mix of songs Flory taught you and your own work was beau­ti­fully inspir­ing.“
Carol Lite, Wash­ing­ton Folk Fes­ti­val Pro­gram Committee